Paddington Races Ahead (10 page)

Mrs Bird drew the curtains and the Browns gathered by the window to watch as Paddington accompanied Fernando to the gate. They doffed their hats to each other as they said a final goodbye. At which point Fernando presented Paddington with the peacock’s feather from his hat, and with a final wave he went on his way.

Paddington responded, and then instead of entering the house by the front door, he disappeared down the side.

“Now where’s he going?” said Mr Brown.

“Quick,” said Judy. “After him!”

Led by Jonathan, they all rushed out into the back garden through the kitchen door, but Paddington had beaten them to it. He was sitting on one of the stones in his rockery looking up at the sunflowers.

“Well,” said Jonathan. “Any more films in the offing?”

“I don’t know,” said Paddington. “Mr Fernando said I wasn’t to ring him, he would ring me.”

“But…” began Mr Brown. He was about to say that was what all film producers said when the answer was ‘no’, but Paddington didn’t give him the chance.

“I don’t think I would like to be a film star,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to leave Windsor Gardens. I think it’s the nicest place in all the world.”

As the Browns gave a collected sigh of relief Mrs Bird reached for her handkerchief. “I do like films that have a happy ending,” she said, dabbing at her eyes. “Why don’t we go indoors and see yours all over again.”

Paddington jumped to his feet. “Let me do it, Mrs Bird,” he exclaimed. “Bears are good at pressing buttons.”

The Browns exchanged glances. “Goodness knows what we shall see now,” said Mr Brown. “You know what Paddington’s like with buttons.”

Mrs Brown gave his arm a squeeze. “To tell you the truth, Henry,” she said. “I’m so relieved I really don’t mind what it is.”

About the Author

Michael Bond
began writing the stories about a bear called Paddington in 1958 while working as a cameraman for BBC television. They are loved the world over and have been translated into more than 30 languages. The 50th anniversary novel
Paddington Here and Now
was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

In 1997 Michael was awarded the OBE for services to children’s literature, and in 2007 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Reading University. He lives in London with his wife Sue, a guinea pig named Olga da Polga and her son Vladimir.

Peggy Fortnum
, the original Paddington artist, created the cover illustrations for this novel. She studied at St Martin’s College of Art and worked as an art teacher and textile designer.

R. W. Alley
is the current Paddington illustrator. He lives with his wife in Rhode Island, USA.

Other Books by Michael Bond

A Bear Called Paddington

More About Paddington

Paddington Helps Out

Paddington Abroad

Paddington At Large

Paddington Marches On

Paddington At Work

Paddington Goes to Town

Paddington Takes the Air

Paddington on Top

Paddington Takes the Test

Paddington Here and Now

Copyright

First published in hardback in Great Britain by HarperCollins
Children’s Books
in 2012

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

HarperCollins
Children’s Books
is a division of HarperCollins
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Ltd,
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www.harpercollins.co.uk

Text copyright © Michael Bond 2012
Illustrations copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Ltd 2012
Cover illustration copyright © HarperCollins
Publishers
Ltd and Peggy Fortnum 1974

SOURCE ISBN: 978-0-00-745884-4

EPub Edition © APRIL 2012 ISBN: 978-0-00-746826-3

The author and illustrator assert the moral right to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work.

Cover illustration adapted and coloured by Mark Burgess from the original by Peggy Fortnum

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